2015 Women of Vision: Harriet Cherry

Harriet Cherry has the distinction of being one of the first women partners in an architectural firm in Eugene. As vice president of PIVOT Architecture, she brings more than 30 years of experience and a passion for design to the projects she manages.

Since moving to Eugene in 1990, Cherry has worked diligently, expanded the firm’s portfolio, advocating strategic planning sessions leading to re-branding its image, clarifying the firm’s vision and even changing its name.

She foresaw the growth in the public transit industry and focused on developing relationships that have culminated in award-winning major projects for PIVOT. The firm’s transportation projects have included designs for transit stations and shelters. The firm’s distinctive sail-inspired designs for a bus rapid transit project in Eugene have led to national recognition and subsequent work for PIVOT in California, Washington and Utah.

“I see people using the spaces and places we’ve been involved with and that’s really rewarding,” Cherry said.

Cherry recently put her organizational skills to work leading TriMet’s “Moving Together” project, which involved 12 design firms working together on innovative renovations and improvements of the 45,000-square-foot Harrison Square administrative headquarters, the 67,000-square-foot Center Street Operations Center and the adaptive reuse of the 6,000-square-foot trolley barn.

Cherry’s training and experience extend to community activities as well. She is a board member of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the Professional Women’s Forum. She also is a Eugene Downtown Plan Broadway Designs Standard member and serves as co-chairwoman of the mayor’s West Broadway Advisory Committee.

As a member of the Eugene Symphony Steering Committee, Cherry also has participated in projects designed to expose young people to classical music.

“Music is important,” she said. “Not everyone has the ability to go to the symphony, so we explored ways to get musicians into the classroom and expose kids to music. We arranged a free concert in the park, which was quite a success too.”

Cherry and her firm were also pivotal in a movement to revitalize Eugene. In 1996, PIVOT Architecture invested in, and renovated, a shuttered building in the city. That project provided the spark that led other developers and investors to significantly improve other buildings in the area.

“We were the first to essentially reclaim what we saw as a viable professional space,” she said. “By that example, others could see the potential for revitalization of disused buildings. It’s about what people want out of their city and how to effect those changes.”